Aidos Sagat

Over the past two decades, singer and composer Aidos Sagat has helped to spread pop music in Kazakhstan as the Central Asian country emerged from decades of Soviet rule. Part of the appeal was that he and his group, Urker, aside from playing great music, sang in the Kazakh language. In recent years, Sagat has become increasingly involved in social and humanitarian work, using his popularity and influence to help the needy, including refugees and stateless people in his country.

Since 2010, he has been working with UNHCR to help refugees, with special attention on children. He has supported education in music and art for youth, organized free entertainment for refugee children, and helped a talented young refugee musician further her career. He has also taken part in World Refugee Day events, speaking out on refugee issues and appealing for tolerance and respect for the forcibly displaced and the stateless.